Sphincter of Oddi

[Jances13]

Hi Everyone,

Four years ago I had my gallbladder out. I also have GERD. After awhile I started with a pain in my upper abdomen , like a gall bladder attack radiating to back. Dr. Doubled my protonix and added carafate. Eventually it went away. Now just recently I had the Covid vaccine and it gave me a lot of GI issues. Bloating, gas, and stomach pains and then the upper abdomen pain resembling a gallbladder attack. I went to the ER and a CT was obtained and it showed a dilated common bile duct and elevated liver enzymes . No other symtoms. ER doctor didn’t give me an explanation as to the diagnosis. I followed up with my gastro and she thinks that it is SOD . So I had liver enzymes redone and they have come down the only one still elevated is the Alt . The Dr. had told me that if they go down then it meant that it was SOD if not then it was the fatty liver. For thoses of you that suffer from SOD , what advice can you give me to try to get rid of the pain. I get it for hours and it is driving me nuts. It’s a relentless pain. I have tried antacids, Carafate, and hyoscamine . Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated .

[Hidden]

Hi,

At the liver Trust we do not have any information regarding Sphincter of Oddi/ Biliary sphincter disorders, however, I have found a good link via Guts UK charity that may be helpful;

gutscharity.org.uk/advice-a...

Additionally if you have fatty liver, you may want to discuss fibrosis testing. In the UK that would be fibrosis blood tests or a FibroScan.

[Wander4ever]

Have you found a solution? I was diagnosed with SOD 12 years ago. Yes, your symptoms sound like SOD. I have found ways to stay pain free, outside of medicine. Dr's don't understand this. It is hormonal in nature. The spinchterotomy might help, but likely not 100%. It does come with a high risk of pancreatitis after the procedure. I can stop the pain in 1-2 days. Something western medicine couldn't do in 2.5 years. Please reach out if you would like to discuss. The incessant burning, naming RUQ pain will make anyone go mad. All the best, blessings and hoping you aren't in this agony anymore.

[040530 in reply to Wander4ever]

How did you stop the pain?

[Wander4ever in reply to 040530]

Go strict on your diet. Eat many greens, sip water all day with real fresh squeezed lemon juice. Drink non caffeinated herbal teas. Look up Karlovy Vary mineral water by biotherapy. Drink it three times a day. Get rid of grains and sugar. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables with a bit of clean protein. Do not consume alcohol and coffee. I cannot drink alcohol at all, but can enjoy a cup of coffee daily once healed for an extended time. One drink of alcohol will bring it back. I also take fenugreek and milk thistle which seems to help. The gastro juices become garbage and highly iritating to the valve. Clean up you diet and within 4-5 days the pain will subside into an ache. Odd because the sharper pain will leave in an instant, like a switch. Another week or so and it will be completely gone. I fought this for years and the Dr's provided no help and clearly don't understand it. Stick with healthy eating, try to reduce stress, get good sleep and get some light exersize. Not easy when in pain, but there is hope! God bless.

[040530 in reply to Wander4ever]

Thanks, will try all but lemon juice, allergic to citrus!

[Wander4ever in reply to 040530]

If no lemon juice, order the minerals for sure. They alkalize your digestive enzymes, making the juices less caustic to the valve. I wish you success! You can beat this at home with simple diet and lifestyle. I was at my breaking point, fighting it for years and was losing hope fast. Thankfully after studying it literally for hours every day, the reason started to become clear to me. I have been pain free for 12 years, outside of a few instances where I let my diet slide for an extended period. The pain came back but I was able to reverse it in a few days. Please keep me posted and stay true to your diet! Like I mentioned, one moment you will have the pain and an instant later, it will be gone outside of an achy feeling. That will subside with the final healing.

[040530 in reply to Wander4ever]

The minerals seem to be very popular (out of stock), but have emailed Biotherapy to see when it will be available. Type 111 is a very discouraging diagnosis , but at least it is a diagnosis (which falls outside the ken of most gastro specialists who first assume too much alcohol was the cause so therefore it's your own fault which is frustrating for a non-drinker!) Appreciate the advice, thanks.